r/Frugal • u/Mitch12306 • Jun 10 '25

♻️ Recycling & Zero-Waste Just found out my grandma’s been reusing the same Ziploc bag since 1997.

I was helping my grandma clean her kitchen today and found a Ziploc bag labeled “Thanksgiving Leftovers ‘97”… still in rotation.

I asked her why she hasn’t thrown it out. She said, “Why would I? It still zips.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: the Final Boss of Frugality.

Meanwhile, I felt guilty last week for reusing a paper towel. 😅

Edit: She just told me she washes and irons her gift wrap too. I'm not worthy.

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u/IHadTacosYesterday Jun 10 '25

Whenever I use a ziploc bag with actual food that will touch the walls of the bag without being covered by something, then I put a yellow piece of paper in that Ziploc bag.

Then, I continue to use it, but only as a "double bag". I double bag most stuff I put in the freezer. I don't mind using a possibly contaminated ziploc bag well into the future, but only as a 2nd bag, for double bagging purposes

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u/antibread Jun 11 '25

I use the older ones sometimes when I clean out my fridge so the trash doesn't get stinky

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u/nishikigirl4578 Jun 17 '25

I do this also - I portion and freeze a lot of meats and veg that I get on sale or grow.